Do you find that your joints aren’t what they used to be? That you struggle to get up and down and have difficulty moving around?

If so, then you’re not alone! Stiff and aching joints are a common feature of old age and one which needs addressing. While you can install aids like chair lifts to help you move around the home with ease, this is not the only proactive step you can take to improve the health of your joints.

There are a range of exercises which you can complete to help improve the health of your joints – even if you have arthritis – and here are just a few of them.

A great form of exercise to help you improve the condition of your joints is swimming. Water is known for being a great medium in which to exercise as it supports the body and that means you can really benefit from it where your joints are concerned.There is reduced risk of wear and tear on the joints and muscles when swimming or exercising in water which makes this a great option for those in their later years. You can also take the exercise at your own pace which means that you won’t over exert yourself.

2. Stretching

Image by Elvert BarnesA great exercise which can be completed from the comfort of your own home, stretching will help improve the flexibility and movement of your joints – tackling those pesky aches and pains that often come with old age.The great thing about this exercise is that its low impact which means you won’t be putting unnecessary pressure on your joints whilst exercising. There are even a number of stretches which you can complete from a seated position, lessening the risk of damage to your body even further.

The important thing to remember when stretching is to not push your body too far. While the general idea is to put your body under a little strain in order to improve flexibility, if you push it too far then you’ll do more harm than good. This is why it is important to choose gentle stretches that help to increase movement without putting you at risk.

It may seem like a strange suggestion but strength training using weights can actually help improve your joint and muscular strength. You need to make sure that you are using weights suitable for your body and age to avoid injury but there are plenty of lightweight products you can use to get you started.

The most important thing to remember with any of these exercises is that you should only do what your body is capable of. If you’re unsure about the suitability of an exercise for your current condition then speak to your GP and get them to advise you. They may even be able to refer you to specific exercise you can do or classes in your local community which are specifically aimed at older people.

– This article was written by Stannah Stairlifts, experts in the installation of stairlifts for the disabled and less abled person. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

– See more at: https://seniorcare2017.wpengine.com/blog_information/13-10-29/3_Excellent_Exercises_for_Healthy_Joints.aspx#sthash.dbcuUa44.dpuf